HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 196004,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/196004/?format=api",
"text_counter": 57,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Ethuro",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 158,
"legal_name": "Ekwee David Ethuro",
"slug": "ekwee-ethuro"
},
"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion:- THAT, given that many Kenyans do not have Identity and Voters Cards; aware that both cards are acquired at the age of 18; acknowledging the need to reduce Government operating costs; this House resolves that the two documents be combined into one to serve both functions of identity and voting. This Motion is extremely important to the pastoral regions in particular, and the nation in general. We have witnessed a lot of under-staffing, especially in the Department of the Registrar of Persons. I am glad the freshly appointed Minister for Immigration and Registration of Persons is here. As I stated yesterday, I want him to stay here throughout the debate. He is paid to do this job and not to go and sing \"mapambano\" in his office! Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, an identity card is a very important document. A voter's card is also a very important document. I am not looking at the issues surrounding post-election violence. I am looking at the Kenyan who has attained a particular age and needs identification for purposes of going about ordinary life. When you put conditions that one needs to pay a little fee in order to acquire a document that identifies him or her as a Kenyan, as if it was a mistake to be born a Kenyan--- In pastoralist areas, if you are an adult you have to go to a medical doctor who will examine your dental formula. Just imagine, an old man of 70 years and above, opening his mouth to some young doctor! It is completely embarrassing! You have to get your chief to confirm your identity. It is even worse in a place like North Eastern Province, where there is a third level of vetting. We consider this as discrimination against Kenyan nationals. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Motion calls upon the Minister--- He is a very nice man and a legal mind that I respect in this House. As his initial contribution to the people of Kenya and a commitment of reform agenda, he should make sure that the requirements that you need to meet to acquire the national identity card are removed. All that one needs is to confirm that he or she has attained the age of 18 years. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Motion also calls upon the Minister to ensure that there is a rapid exercise in which the production of identity cards--- Before we went for the general election, we heard that the Ministry was producing 20,000 identity cards per week. We would like the Minister to increase this to the rate of 100,000 cards per week. Kenyans can no longer be waiting to get a document that they are entitled to. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Motion calls upon the Minister to ensure that the Department of Registration of Persons has sufficient personnel ready and committed to work anywhere in the Republic, particularly in northern Kenya. Why do I say this? I hope that the Minister is fully aware that northern Kenya is not North Eastern Province. North Eastern Province is part of northern Kenya. Northern Kenya includes the North Rift, Mr. Minister. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, because of the little money that is allocated to the registration of persons, politicians have taken advantage to the extent that they pay the officers and the clerks in order to produce identity cards for their people. This is for the sole purpose of getting the numbers to vote for them. I think that is politicisation of the Civil Service. That is completely unacceptable. We want Government officers to work freely on the basis of need. They should move to areas where they know people need identity cards. They should go there on their own and use criteria that is independently established. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are saying that some of these things should be combined. Apparently, the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) has enough money to do continuous registration of voters at its headquarters. It has enough money to send out clerks once every year to register voters. However, before one is registered as a voter, he or she has to have an identity card. When you look at these two documents, the difference in their particulars is very limited. You can 592 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 23, 2008 transfer only two sets into one other document. Given that there is a bloated Cabinet that might need more money, this House is completely mindful of the cost factor. We can reduce some expenses here and pay the bloated Cabinet. Is that not being mindful of your welfare? Is that asking for too much? The Minister should take this Motion very seriously and adopt it quickly. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am saying that it is not just a matter of a bloated Cabinet. Prudence dictates that we do things in the most cost-effective manner. It means that we should not make somebody have so many documents. In fact, ideally, if someone acquires a driving licence all the information should be in that one document. That way, Kenyans can manage their affairs properly and easily. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am demanding that some of these requirements be removed for northern Kenya in particular, because one needs an identity card to go to a bank. However, where I come from, apart from Lodwar Town, there are no banks anywhere!"
}